A Donkey's Tale

Returning to the baby donkey with his mother then – I can imagine the next question would be, but why me then?

She nuzzled him gently and replied, “Because you were chosen little one.”

While it’s not about us - God still chooses to use us.

The little Donkey was available. And Jesus had chosen him before the time – if we read in the scriptures, Jesus knew where the donkey was, and that he would be available. Now commentators differ in opinion here – as to whether Jesus had organised in advance that the donkey would be available, or that it was a supernatural understanding that he would have with the owners… but regardless – Jesus knew that this little donkey would be used for this purpose.

And amazingly God knew this well in advance too. 550 years earlier Zechariah had prophesied about this little donkey. God had a plan and this donkey was selected by God to play a part in His plan.

The prophet said, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

And he has selected us too:

John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We know nothing about this donkey. Whether it had been named by the children in the household; whether his owners were rich and had many donkeys, or whether this mother and foal was his most treasured possession. The incredible thing about this plan that God had– is that it has resulted in us talking about this little donkey 2000 years later.

God too has chosen you and me for a role in his bigger plan – the plan he has to bring his kingdom on earth. A plan that will involve lifting up Christ… a plan that will bring light to a dark city, reconciliation to the broken, justice to the forgotten and hope to the lost.

While we like the donkey may think we are insignificant, when carrying Christ we are involved in something infinitely significant. Have you ever considered that that was God riding a donkey? The creator of all that breathes and moves, the one who calls out the stars, and knows them all by name? The one who created the Universe is sitting on the back of a baby donkey – on a borrowed robe, among a fickle people.

That blows my mind.

If God can use a little donkey in the triumphant accomplishment of his plan, in the fulfilment of ancient prophecy, in carrying the Creator… then just maybe he’s got a plan for me and can use me too.

To end then – the little donkey looked back at his mother and asked – “Where is the man now? What happened to him?” His mother shook her long head sadly. “People are cruel little one. The man is in the city now… he is teaching them and loving them… he is showing them a new way of life – but the people are planning against him… God’s plan for his life is the hardest of all... for he will give it up for those he loves.”